London Luton Airport

Location –
About 30 miles to the north-west of central London is the sleepy town of
Luton, Bedfordshire. Regardless of the somber mood of the town, the fourth
largest airport serving London market is the Luton airport.
The location of the airport is semi-urban and this has contributed to the
88% of passengers flying on scheduled services in 2004.Know your Airport - New airlines and numerous
new routes have driven passenger numbers up to 7.5 million passengers per
year. London Luton Airport was formally opened on 16 July
1938 as "Luton Municipal Airport" by the then Secretary of State
for Air. Between years 1992 and 1996, almost £30 million was invested
in the airport infrastructure and upgradation of services. Very recently
plans have been put to use to relocate security, customs and immigration
facilities. London Luton Airport employs almost 500 people directly. The
Airport is one of the major economic forces in the regional economy of Bedfordshire.

Terminals
– There is one terminal at Luton airport. A
major expansion of the new terminal building was opened in July 2005.
Transit systems – A new railway station, Luton
Airport Parkway, has been built to serve the airport. A free
shuttle bus also connects the airport. The railway station is just
over a mile from the airport terminal buildings. Since there only
one terminal at Luton, no public transit system has been developed
for movement inside the airport. Stairs, escalators and walkways are
the only systems which prevail.
Inside the terminals – Passengers are advised that
London Luton Airport operates a "silent terminal"
policy. This effectively means that flight announcements are no longer
made in the departure lounge. All the information regarding flights
is displayed on information screens throughout the lounge area. The
passengers are expected to keep an eye on the screens for information.
The check-in desks are located along the length of the terminal wall
opposite the entrance and exits. Departure Lounges and Arrivals Meeting
Point are accessed through the walkway from the main terminal building.
For international flights the check in is 2 hours prior to departure.
For all European flights, the check in time is also the same. Local
or domestic passengers can opt for check in just 1 hour before departure.
Please remember that hand baggage of a maximum weight of 5 - 7 kilos
is allowed. Most of the airlines have a hand baggage measurement estimate
at check-in. apart from all this; London Luton Airport offers passengers
a wide range of facilities inside the terminal to ensure that the
stay at airport is enjoyable.

Safety - Till date, there have been very few security
breaches in Luton Airport. Safety has always been the topmost priority
on the minds of its authorities. Elaborate but hassle-free security
arrangements are in place. Travelers are requested not to carry items
like scissors, blades, knives, needles and even pool cues/darts. The
security policy for cylinders, magnets, fire-lighters, poisons and
radioactive materials etc. are is very strict.
Business facilities – The business class facilities
at Luton are in a league of their own. There are many good lounges
in the airport which offers professional hospitality. The lounges
offer a selection of beverages and drinks, while the business traveler
uses the internet/telephone/fax services available. The lounges are
available for use by both domestic and international passengers. Passengers
who want to avoid the rush at other lounges can win back their peace
of mind by staying in the lounges. Standard business facilities are
on offer at Luton. The services are flexible to the demands of the
small-town business traveler to the corporate biggie. Click
here to know more.
Family interests – The travelers and their families
can have good time at Luton airport. There are shopping options like
Whistlestop Grocery store, World News, Impulse, Sock Shop and Tie
Rack etc. the baby changing facilities are inside the toilets. Unique
baby care rooms, equipped with changing tables, nappy dispensers and
other essential equipment are also available for passengers. Just
on entry, there are two information kiosks at the right. Keep in touch
with your relatives and family by using the postal services at the
airport. For children, Luton entertainment games grid can be found
inside the terminal. There is also a children's play area in the departures
area between the customer service desk and the departure gates. It
is for children aged 2 to 6 years. While mothers change their babies,
men can make good use of the meeting point, coffee shops in the right
of the Departures hall entrance. Special menus for children are available
in all the airport restaurants. Baby food is free. There is an Airport
Prayer Centre which welcomes people of all faiths.

Special service
– There are excellent facilities for those who have special
needs. There is a designated accessible door for disabled travelers.
There are special toilets for them in the toilet bays. Wheelchairs
can be collected free of charge from separate collection points. There
are even lowered payphones fitted with inductive couplers and touch
screen facilities. Equipment to assist disabled travelers from boarding
and alighting from the aircraft itself are available. Designated disabled
accessible bays are available in all car parks. The charges are at
par with normal prices. Normal prices apply for each car park. There
is also a special assistance help point where disabled travelers can
call for free assistance.
Parking options – Good parking options are limited
in Luton airport. There are however options like
mid-term parking, express parking, valet parking are available. Long-term
parking options are the best.
Extra information - The single runway at Luton handles as
much as 18 fixed-wing airlines. More airlines are making Luton a regular
fare in their routes. In addition to that many charter operators like
Thomsonfly, First Choice Airways, Monarch Airlines, Sun Express, and
Thomas Cook Airlines also use the services of the airport. EasyJet
has made Luton airport its local hub. Luton is also a favorite with
big cargo operators like DHL and Streamline. Nowadays, many business
jets are frequently transporting visitors to London Luton
Airport.

Leaving from Luton airport – There are many
options to leave the airport. There is a regular 24 hour service to
central London which takes only 25 minutes with Luton Airport Express.
There are Thameslink and Midland Mainline trains that connect travelers
with London, the South coast and the Midlands. For travelers who love
traveling by bus, there are coach pick up and drop off points situated
in front of the terminal building. London Luton Airport
is also served by frequent local bus services connecting the airport
and the adjacent areas. Car hire services, taxis and other forms of
transit options are also available from the airport.

Essentials - There is International Currency Exchange
with two cash dispensers. There are many public telephones scattered in
the airport. There is a special assistance phone at the entrance of the
terminal.